Washington – A federal judge said Monday that she was inclined to remove from house arrest two former aides to President Donald Trump’s campaign but would not do so until receiving more detailed financial information from them.
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Lawyers for Paul Manafort, who led Trump’s campaign for several months last year, and his business associate Rick Gates said in court that they were still working with prosecutors on a financial pledge that would guarantee their appearance at future court dates while allowing them to be removed from home confinement.
But the lawyers said they had not made final plans yet, and U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson declined to take them off home detention until additional details about their personal wealth are disclosed, along with their commitment to forfeit millions of dollars in assets if they fail to show up for future court appearances.
That means the men remain at least for now on home confinement, a condition imposed last week following their indictment. Jackson did indicate that she was leaning in favor of easing that condition while planning to impose certain restrictions, such as a bar on international travrl.
Manafort and Rick Gates surrendered last week to face charges brought by special counsel Robert Mueller. The men are accused of laundering the profits of foreign consulting work performed on behalf of a Ukrainian political party and concealing those assets from the U.S. government. They have pleaded not guilty.
In court papers, Manafort has pledged $12.5 million in assets to guarantee that he’ll show up for future court appearances.
Unprecedented, That they are sooo guilty and considered such risks. Its obviously a witch hunt.
Like where do you think manafort would run away or hide ? Why not grant bail?
He is an obvious flight risk. He has the means and the motivation to flee to a safe haven. I am surprised he is not in jail.